Is there external help which could be hired if really needed?

[Windyvalley]

I'm gauging the feasibility to have a second child. DH worries we are already at stretch whenever someone gets sick and if we have another one how we could cope if I'm sick or the one of the kids is sick while DH works 1.5 - 2 hours driving distance away. We have no family around to help out at all. Not knowing many friends who are close enough to count on just yet.

So I'm wondering if there's any professional service to hire to help out domestic emergency. Like if I'm sick, someone could come to help out with the kids and cook the meal sort of thing.

[Windyvalley]

Is there nothing like this out there at all?

[Wolfiefan]

I doubt there would be enough emergencies to make it worthwhile. You either buy in regular help or DH has to take time off. Do you work?

[Windyvalley]

I'm working still. But if having another one, I would have to stop.

I'm asking as it did occur a couple of times last year I felt quite ill and had to ring DH to ask him get home immediately to take care of DS... So what if I'd be sick for a few days and DH has to go to work?

Am I scaring myself on this?

[Wolfiefan]

You would have to have something like flu to be completely incapable. Unless you have ongoing health issues I don't see it as a problem.

[bonzo77]

Do you mean childcare? There's sitters.co.uk for ad hoc childcare. And you need to invest very heavily in other relationships: play groups, school gates, religious groups to form a network of friends with whom
You can reciprocate favours. Bit mercenary but as long as its reciprocal I can't see the issue.